Instant coffee extract with high chlorogenic acids content inhibits hepatic G‐6‐Pase in vitro,but does not reduce the glycaemia

Coffee is the main source of chlorogenic acid in the human diet, and it contains several chlorogenic acid isomers, of which the 5‐caffeoylquinic acid (5‐CQA) is the predominant isomer. Because there are no available data about the action of chlorogenic acids from instant coffee on hepatic glucose‐6‐phosphatase (G‐6‐Pase) activity and blood glucose levels, these effects were investigated in rats. The changes on G‐6‐Pase activity and liver glucose output induced by 5‐CQA were also investigated. Instant coffee extract with high chlorogenic acids content (37.8%) inhibited (p < 0.05) the G‐6‐Pase activity of the hepatocyte microsomal fraction in a dose‐dependent way (up to 53), but IV administration of this extract did not change the glycaemia (p > 0.05). Similarly, 5‐CQA (1 mM) reduced (p < 0.05) the activity of microsomal G‐6‐Pase by about 40%, but had no effect (p > 0.05) on glucose output arising from glycogenolysis in liver perfusion. It was concluded that instant coffee extract with high content of chlorogenic acids inhibited hepatic G‐6‐Pase in vitro, but failed to reduce the glycaemia probably because the coffee chlorogenic acids did not reach enough levels within the hepatocytes to inhibit the G‐6‐Pase and reduce the liver glucose output. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamics of phenolic acids and lignin accumulation in metal-treated Matricaria chamomilla roots

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, 11 phenolic acids and lignin accumulation in Matricaria chamomilla roots exposed to low (3 μM) and high (60 and 120 μM) levels of cadmium (Cd) or copper (Cu) for 7 days were investigated. Five derivatives of cinnamic acid (chlorogenic, p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acids) and six derivatives of benzoic acid (protocatechuic, vanillic, syringic, p-hydroxybenzoic, salicylic acids and protocatechuic aldehyde) were detected. Accumulation of glycoside-bound phenolics (revealed by acid hydrolysis) was enhanced mainly towards the end of the experiment, being more expressive in Cu-treated roots. Interestingly, chlorogenic acid was extremely elevated by the highest Cu dose (21-fold higher than control) suggesting its involvement in antioxidative protection. All compounds, with the exception of chlorogenic acid, were detected in the cell wall bound fraction, but only benzoic acids were found in the ester-bound fraction (revealed by alkaline hydrolysis). Soluble phenolics were present in substantially higher amounts in Cu-treated roots and more Cu was retained there in comparison to Cd. Cu strongly elevated PAL activity (by 5.4- and 12.1-fold in 60 and 120 μM treatment, respectively) and lignin content (by 71 and 148%, respectively) after one day of treatment, indicating formation of a barrier against metal entrance. Cd had slighter effects, supporting its non-redox active properties. Taken together, different forms of phenolic metabolites play an important role in chamomile tolerance to metal excess and participate in active antioxidative protection.     

Inhibition behaviours of some phenolic acids on rat kidney aldose reductase enzyme: an in vitro study

Aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors have vital importance in the treatment and prevention of diabetic complications. In this study, rat kidney AR was purified 19.34-fold with a yield of 3.49% and a specific activity of 0.88?U/mg using DE-52 Cellulose anion exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography and 2′5′ ADP Sepharose-4B affinity chromatography, respectively. After purification, the in vitro inhibition effects of some phenolic acids (tannic acid, chlorogenic acid, sinapic acid, protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, α-resorcylic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and gallic acid) were investigated on purified enzyme. We determined IC₅₀, K_i values and inhibition types of these phenolic acids. As a result, tannic and chlorogenic acid had a strong inhibition effect. On the other hand, gallic acid had a weak inhibition effect. In this study, all phenolic acids except for chlorogenic acid and p-coumaric acid showed non-competitive inhibition effects on rat kidney AR.     

Content of different groups of phenolic compounds in microshoots of Juglans regia cultivars and studies on antioxidant activity

Phenolic and other compounds were extracted from micropropagated axillary shoots (microshoots) of the walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivars ‘Chandler’, ‘Howard’, ‘Kerman’, ‘Sunland’, and ‘Z₆₃’. Among cultivars, microshoots showed differences in phenolic compounds, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins. All cultivars contained the phenolics acids chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid; the naphthoquinone juglone; and the flavonoid quercetin. The phenolic acids syringic acid and vanillin were present only in microshoots of ‘Howard’. Microshoot extracts had different antioxidant activity with ‘Kerman’ the highest and ‘Chandler’ the lowest in each of three antioxidant assays: the phosphomolybdenum assay (PPM), reducing power assay, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-scavenging effect. There was a strong linear relationship between total phenolic compound content of microshoots and increasing antioxidant activity.     

Preparative separation of chlorogenic acid by centrifugal partition chromatography from highbush blueberry leaves (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Introduction – Blueberries (genus Vaccinium) have gained worldwide focus because of the high anthocyanin content of their fruits. In contrast, the leaves of blueberry have not attracted any attention, even though they contain large quantities of chlorogenic acid, a strong antioxidant compound. Objective – The aim of this investigation was the quantification and preparative isolation of chlorogenic acid (5‐caffeoylquinic acid, 5‐CQA) from blueberry leaves using a new separation scheme, centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC). Methodology – A water fraction containing a high concentration of 5‐CQA (14.5% of dry weight extract) was obtained by defatting a crude methanol extract from blueberry leaves. CPC was applied to isolate 5‐CQA from this water fraction using a two‐phase solvent system of ethyl acetate–ethanol–water at a volume ratio 4:1:5 (v/v/v). The flow‐rate of mobile phase was 2 mL/min with the ascending mode while rotating at 1200 rpm. The eluate was monitored at 330 nm. The structure of chlorogenic acid in the CPC fraction was confirmed with HPLC, UV, ESI/MS and NMR spectra. Results – The HPLC chromatogram showed that the fractions collected by CPC contained chlorogenic acid with 96% purity based on peak area percentage. The total amount of chlorogenic acid isolated from 0.5 g of a water fraction was 52.9 mg, corresponding to 10.6% of the water fraction. The isolated compound was identified successively as 5‐CQA with MS (parent ion at m/z 355.1 [M + H]⁺) and ¹H NMR spectra [caffeoyl moiety in the down field (δ 6.0–8.0 ppm) and quinic acid moiety in the up field (δ 2.0–5.5 ppm)]. Conclusion – 5‐CQA was successfully isolated from blueberry leaves by the CPC method in a one‐step procedure, indicating a further potential use for blueberry leaves. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同甜叶菊品种叶中绿原酸类成分的比较研究

该文以14个扦插培育的甜叶菊品种叶为材料,从8种不同型号的树脂中筛选出一种合适的大孔吸附树脂对甜叶菊叶中绿原酸类成分进行纯化前处理,采用HPLC法对不同甜叶菊品种叶中所含绿原酸类成分进行比较分析。结果表明:(1)在8种不同型号的树脂中,XAD~(-1)6对甜叶菊叶中绿原酸类成分吸附-解析性能最佳。(2)经优化,上样液浓度1.20 mg·mL~(-1)、样品溶液pH 3、解析液乙醇体积分数70%时XAD~(-1)6树脂对甜叶菊叶中绿原酸类成分具有较好的纯化效果。(3) HPLC检测分析表明,在14个品种中共检测出新绿原酸、绿原酸、隐绿原酸、异绿原酸B、异绿原酸A、异绿原酸C六种绿原酸类成分,其中主要成分均为异绿原酸A、绿原酸、异绿原酸C,而在品种3、5、13、14中没有检测出异绿原酸B。(4) 14个品种中6个绿原酸类成分的含量分别为异绿原酸A 20.55~54.3 mg·g~(-1)、绿原酸17.96~32.93 mg·g~(-1)、异绿原酸C 4.15~19.49 mg·g~(-1)、新原酸0.61~4.61 mg·g~(-1)、隐绿原酸0.52~3.11 mg·g~(-1)、异绿原酸B 0.0~3.17 mg·g~(-1),6种绿原酸类成分总量为43.9~97.8 mg·g~(-1)。可见,不同品种甜叶菊叶中绿原酸类成分含量有明显差异,富含绿原酸类成分的甜叶菊品种可用于开发获取绿原酸类物质。     

Allelopathic activity of different plant parts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peganum harmala</Emphasis> L. and identification of their growth inhibitors substances

This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory potential of P. harmala leaf, stem and root extract on germination and growth of Avena fatua L. and Convolvulus arvensis L., as well as identification of the phytotoxic substances responsible for this activity. According to our results, the degree of toxicity of different P. harmala plant parts can be arranged in the following order: leaves > stems > roots. The two test species differed in their sensitivity to P. harmala extracts. Inhibitory effect on shoot length and seedling dry weight was more pronounced in C. arvensis, whereas higher reduction in germination, root length and total chlorophyll content occurred in A. fatua. A significant amount of water-soluble phenolic acids were found in P. harmala plant extracts. Total phenolic acids content was higher in leaf extracts when compared to that of stem or root extracts. Seven phenolic acids including gallic acid, vanillic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid and ferulic acid were found in P. harmala leaf extracts. On the other hand, we identified four phenolic acids from stem (galllic acid, vanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and caffeic acid) and root (galllic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid and cinnamic acid) extracts. The greater number of growth inhibitors detected in the leaves might explain the stronger inhibitory activity. Overall, our results suggest that P. harmala might be used as a natural herbicide for weed control and consequently reduce dependence on synthetic herbicides.     

Antifungal Effect and Protective Role of Ursolic Acid and Three Phenolic Derivatives in the Management of Sorghum Grain Mold Under Field Conditions

In this study, investigation was carried out under in vitro as well as field conditions to explore inhibitors of sorghum grain mold. Phytochemicals, viz., methyl trans‐p‐coumarate (AIC‐1), methyl caffeate (AIC‐2), syringic acid (AIC‐3), and ursolic acid (UA), at different concentrations (500, 750, and 1000 ppm) were tested on spore germination of Alternaria alternata, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme, F. pallidoroseum, and Helminthosporium sp. Significant growth inhibition (P < 0.001) was observed against all fungi except A. alternata which was found to be resistant to AIC‐3. Further, two separate sets of field experiments involving spraying of water and F. moniliforme suspension over chemicals treated (1000 ppm) sorghum panicles were done. The levels of protection varied with different treatments which were graded using a standard 1 – 9 rating scale. The Fusarium‐challenged panicles (FCP) showed lesser susceptibility and decreased the rate of infection of grain mold (grade 7.0), compared to simple UA, AIC‐2, and AIC‐1 treatments (7.4, 7.6, and 8.0 grade, resp.). The HPLC quantification of differentially induced phenolic acids in treated sorghum grains substantiated this effect disclosing the higher accumulation of chlorogenic, vanillic, and salicylic acids in FCP. This might be due to defensive induction of these acids by the plants. Although mold control by examined chemicals were lesser than the standard Tilt (grade 5.9), they were found to be nontoxic to mammalian cells under cytotoxicity assay.     

Growth Substances Isolated from Tubers of Cyperus esculentus var. aureus

A methanolic extract of tubers of Cyperus esculentus Ten. var. aureus Richt. contains compounds which inhibit growth of oat coleoptile sections and germination of Beta vulgaris L., Lotus corniculatus L., Lolium perenne L., Pisum sativum L., Trifolium repens L., Lactuca sativa L. and Lycopersicum esculentum Ludwig. p-Hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid were identified. Four other active compounds which could not be identified were also isolated.     

The enzymic conversion of hydroxycinnamic acids to p-coumarylquinic and chlorogenic acids in tomato fruits

Two enzymes thought to be involved in the biosynthesis of chlorogenic acid have been separated and purified by ion exchange chromatography and their properties studied. These two enzymes, p-coumarate CoA ligase and hydroxycinnamyl CoA: quinate hydroxycinnamyl transferase, acting together catalyse the conversion of p-coumaric acid to 5′-p-coumarylquinic acid and of caffeic acid to chlorogenic acid. The ligase has a higher affinity for p-coumaric than for caffeic acid and will in addition activate a number of other cinnamic acids such as ferulic, isoferulic and m-coumaric acids but not cinnamic acid. The transferase shows higher activity and affinity with p-coumaryl CoA than caffeyl CoA. It also acts with ferulyl CoA but only very slowly. The enzyme shows high specificity for quinic acid; shikimic acid is esterified at only 2% of the rate with quinic acid and glucose is not a substrate. The transferase activity is reversible and both chlorogenic acid and 5′-p-coumarylquinic acids are cleaved in the presence of CoA to form quinic acid and the corresponding hydroxycinnamyl CoA thioester.     

酚酸物质对红松种子萌发及苗木生长和生理特性的影响

通过室内模拟试验,阐明阔叶红松林中已测得含量较高的3种酚酸物质（苯甲酸、丁香酸和香草酸）对红松种子萌发及苗木生长的影响,为探索阔叶红松林内化感作用机理及解决红松更新障碍问题提供科学依据。采用培养皿培养法及室内盆栽培养法,以红松种子和3年生红松苗为试验对象,设置不同浓度（2、20、200 mg/L）苯甲酸、丁香酸、香草酸处理液,以蒸馏水为对照（CK）,进行红松种子萌发试验及红松苗木生长试验,研究3种酚酸物质对红松种子发芽、苗木生长、光合色素、抗氧化酶活性、膜脂过氧化作用及渗透调节物质的影响。结果表明,（1）不同浓度3种酚酸均抑制红松种子萌发,但酚酸浓度变化仅对红松种子发芽率影响差异显著。（2）3种酚酸对红松苗木生长及物质积累抑制作用显著。浓度变化对红松苗株高及地径影响不显著,对生物量、根干重和茎干重影响显著。（3）针叶叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素含量变化对酚酸处理反应一致,20 mg/L的3种酚酸均显著抑制光合色素产生,而200 mg/L丁香酸溶液及2 mg/L香草酸溶液均显著促进叶绿素a和类胡萝卜素积累。（4）酚酸处理使红松苗针叶中POD、CAT活性降低,SOD活性增加。针叶中MDA含量显著增加,200 mg/L丁香酸溶液处理组针叶MDA含量高于CK处理组70.51%。（5）不同浓度苯甲酸溶液促进可溶性糖增加,抑制可溶性蛋白增加;不同浓度丁香酸溶液促进可溶性蛋白增加,而不同浓度香草酸溶液抑制可溶性蛋白增加,二者对可溶性糖含量影响受浓度变化影响显著。苯甲酸、丁香酸、香草酸影响红松种子萌发,通过对红松苗光合色素、抗氧化酶活性及渗透调节物质的影响导致其生长受抑制、生物量减少,产生膜脂过氧化伤害。因此,解决阔叶红松林内红松更新障碍问题时,凋落物及土壤中酚酸物质的化感作用不容忽视。     

Damage of staphylococcal cytoplasmic membrane by Quercus infectoria G. Olivier and its components

Aims: In traditional Thai medicine, nutgall of Quercus infectoria G. Olivier is well‐documented as an effective agent for wound and skin infections. The present study was aimed to establish modes of action of the ethanol extract of the plant as well as its main constituents to induce anti‐methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity. Methods and Results: The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)/minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of ethyl acetate I, ethyl acetate II, 95% ethanol and 30% ethanol fractions against MRSA were 0·06/0·25, 0·13/0·25, 0·25/0·5 and 0·5/1·00 mg ml^?1, respectively. Ellagic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid and tannic acid as major components of Q. infectoria nutgall extract were included in this study. Among these, gallic acid and tannic acid demonstrated good MIC/MBC values at 0·06/0·06 and 0·13/0·25 mg ml^?1, respectively. A lysis experiment demonstrated that the ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction I and all of the main components failed to lyse MRSA cells. In contrast, both MRSA and Staph. aureus ATCC 25923 treated with the ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction I, gallic acid and tannic acid displayed significant loss of tolerance to low osmotic pressure and high salt concentration. Conclusions: The results documented the effect of different fractions of Q. infectoria and purified compounds on MRSA and Staph. aureus. In addition, the study demonstrated that treatment with Q. infectoria extract and the purified compounds results in hypersensitivity to low and high osmotic pressure. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides scientific information to support the traditional uses of the nutgall extract and suggesting its anti‐MRSA mechanisms.     

Isolation and mapping of a C3′H gene (CYP98A49) from globe artichoke,and its expression upon UV-C stress

Globe artichoke represents a natural source of phenolic compounds with dicaffeoylquinic acids along with their biosynthetic precursor chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid) as the predominant molecules. We report the isolation and characterization of a full-length cDNA and promoter of a globe artichoke p-coumaroyl ester 3′-hydroxylase (CYP98A49), which is involved in both chlorogenic acid and lignin biosynthesis. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that this gene belongs to the CYP98 family. CYP98A49 was also heterologously expressed in yeast, in order to perform an enzymatic assay with p-coumaroylshikimate and p-coumaroylquinate as substrates. Real Time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that CYP98A49 expression is induced upon exposure to UV-C radiation. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the CYP98A49 gene sequence of two globe artichoke varieties used for genetic mapping allowed the localization of this gene to linkage group 10 within the previously developed maps. Nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the GenBank database under accession number: FJ225121     

Bioreactor type affects the accumulation of phenolic acids and flavonoids in microshoot cultures of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.

Microshoots of the East Asian medicinal plant species Schisandra chinensis (Chinese magnolia vine) were grown in bioreactors characterized by different construction and cultivation mode. The tested systems included two continuous immersion systems—a cone-type bioreactor (CNB) and a cylindric tube bioreactor (CTB), a nutrient sprinkle bioreactor (NSB), and two temporary immersion systems (TIS)—RITA® and Plantform. Microshoots were grown for 30 and 60 days in the MS medium enriched with 1 mg l^?1 NAA and 3 mg l^?1 BA. The accumulation of two groups of phenolic compounds: phenolic acids and flavonoids in the bioreactor-grown S. chinensis biomass, was evaluated for the first time. In the microshoot extracts, seven phenolic acids: chlorogenic, gallic, p–hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, syringic, salicylic and vanillic, and three flavonoids: kaempferol, quercitrin and rutoside, were identified. The highest total amount of phenolic acids (46.68 mg 100 g^?1 DW) was recorded in the biomass maintained in the CNB for 30 days. The highest total content of flavonoids (29.02 mg 100 g^?1 DW) was found in the microshoots maintained in the NSB for 30 days. The predominant metabolites in all the tested systems were: gallic acid (up to 10.01 mg 100 g^?1 DW), protocatechuic acid (maximal concentration 16.30 mg 100 g^?1 DW), and quercitrin (highest content 21.00 mg 100 g^?1 DW).

     

Biotransformation and improved enzymatic extraction of chlorogenic acid from coffee pulp by filamentous fungi

The highest enzymatic extraction of covalent linked chlorogenic (36.1%) and caffeic (CA) (33%) acids from coffee pulp (CP) was achieved by solid‐state fermentation with a mixture of three enzymatic extracts produced by Aspergillus tamarii, Rhizomucor pusillus, and Trametes sp. Enzyme extracts were produced in a practical inexpensive way. Synergistic effects on the extraction yield were observed when more than one enzyme extract was used. In addition, biotransformation of chlorogenic acid (ChA) by Aspergillus niger C23308 was studied. Equimolar transformation of ChA into CA and quinic acids (QA) was observed during the first 36 h in submerged culture. Subsequently, after 36 h, equimolar transformation of CA into protocatechuic acid was observed; this pathway is being reported for the first time for A. niger. QA was used as a carbon source by A. niger C23308. This study presents the potential of using CP to produce enzymes and compounds such as ChA with biological activities. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29: 337–345, 2013     

Genetic investigations on the caffeine and chlorogenic acid relationship in an interspecific cross between Coffea liberica dewevrei and C. pseudozanguebariae

The objective of the paper was to identify the number of major loci explaining caffeine content in coffee seeds. Investigations were based on previously published results: (1) Caffeine binds to chlorogenic acids in a 1:1 molecular ratio; (2) Between species, the caffeine content is correlated to the chlorogenic acid content; (3) Only a part of chlorogenic acids is bound to caffeine. Especially, the content ratio between caffeine and chlorogenic acids varied between species. For identifying the number of major loci, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) approach was carried out using an interspecific cross between two highly differentiated species—Coffea liberica dewevrei and Coffea pseudozanguebariae, the latter being a caffeine-free species. As main finding, two QTLs, i.e., RCQ1 and CQA1, were identified allowing us to explain up to 97 % of the caffeine content variance. RCQ1 explained variation of the caffeine/chlorogenic acid ratio and was genetically independent of the second QTL. The latter explained the part of the caffeine content which was dependent on the chlorogenic acid content. The findings also confirmed that only a part of chlorogenic acids were trapped by caffeine, as in wild species.     

p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, a Growth Regulator, Isolated from Woody Cuttings of Ribes rubrum

Woody cuttings of Ribes rubrum, an easy plant to root, were extracted with methanol. One fraction of this extract was both water and ether soluble; a part of it was only water soluble. From the water and ether soluble fraction a crystalline compound was isolated which was fully identified with p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB) by m.p., mixed m.p., infrared spectrum, ultraviolet absorption in neutral and alkaline methanol and chemical analyses. For Avena coleoptiles straight growth test, p-hydroxyhenzoic acid was found to have a significant growth promoting activity in the range 20–100 μg/ml. and it showed strong growth inhibition at concentrations higher than 200 μg/ml. From the same extract fraction a phenolic ester was isolated by paper chromatography which showed a weak growth inhibiting activity. This compound was identified as an ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid by micro-scale reactions. From the extract soluble only in water further amounts of crystalline p-hydroxybenzoic acid were obtained by alkaline hydrolysis. This PHB may have arisen from the breakdown of pelargonidin glucosides.     

Structure-function relationships of the antibacterial activity of phenolic acids and their metabolism by lactic acid bacteria

Aims: To determine structure–function relationships of antibacterial phenolic acids and their metabolites produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Methods and Results: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 6 hydroxybenzoic and 6 hydroxycinnamic acids were determined with Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus hammesii, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis as indicator strains. The antibacterial activity of phenolic acids increased at lower pH. A decreasing number of hydroxyl groups enhanced the activity of hydroxybenzoic acids, but had minor effects on hydroxycinnamic acids. Substitution of hydroxyl groups with methoxy groups increased the activity of hydroxybenzoic, but not of hydroxycinnamic, acid. Metabolism of chlorogenic, caffeic, p‐coumaric, ferulic, protocatechuic or p‐hydroxybenzoic acids by L. plantarum, L. hammesii, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus reuteri was analysed by LC‐DAD‐MS. Furthermore, MICs of substrates and metabolites were compared. Decarboxylated and/or reduced metabolites of phenolic acids had a lower activity than the substrates. Strain‐specific metabolism of phenolic acids generally corresponded to resistance. Conclusions: The influence of lipophilicity on the antibacterial activity of hydroxybenzoic acids is stronger than that of hydroxycinnamic acids. Metabolism of phenolic acids by LAB detoxifies phenolic acids. Significance and Impact of the Study: Results allow the targeted selection of plant extracts for food preservation, and selection of starter cultures for fermented products.     

Caffeic acid derivatives from a hairy root culture of Lactuca virosa

In a search for biologically active phenolics, a hydroalcoholic extract from the hairy roots of Lactuca virosa was fractionated by chromatographical methods. The procedure led to the isolation of a substantial amount of 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DCQA)—a potent free radical scavenger. An analytical RP-HPLC separation of the hydroalcoholic extract from the hairy roots allowed identification of further hydroxycinnamates: caftaric acid (CTA), chlorogenic acid (5-CQA) and cichoric acid (DCTA), as well as small amounts of unbound phenolic acids. A time course of growth and caffeic acid derivatives accumulation in the hairy root culture was also investigated. The highest contents of the compounds in the examined roots were detected at the logarithmic phase of growth. The average content of 3,5-DCQA in the roots (ca. 2.5% DW) was at least one order of magnitude higher than that found in roots of Lactuca species and callus culture of L. virosa.